Speaking of chicken feed again...

[junkyardblacksmith]

A friend has given me a few 20lb bags of old wild bird seed.
And a few of the solid lard/seed feeders.

It's your generic wild bird seed, with the tiny red and brown, and black seeds, with sunflower mixed in.

Thought I might mix some into their daily scratch rations.

I'm assuming the chickens will eat this, since they pretty much eat everything else they see in the yard.

Wanted to check if there was any problem with this first.

[lost1]

I don't see a problem here. I'd bet your chickens will enjoy the treat.

[nancy1340]

As long as it's been kept dry and there is no mold in it you should be good to go. Look it over real good and smell it to make sure it's still good . If you see black powder in it do not use it .

[annabella1]

If there is thistle seed in there you may end up with some vicious weeds.

[Northwoods_Hippie]

Speaking of Thistle seed, or Niger seed as it is actually known. I have been feeding wild birds for well over 10 years and have never had Niger seed sprout. I remember reading on Cornell's site that Niger seed is imported from another country and is heated so as to make it sterile so it won't sprout.

Most other seed will sprout, i.e. millet and sunflower, but that just continues the feeding the birds cycle for me.

Margie

[annabella1]

I had some bird seed for my pets got bugs in it so I threw it out in the yard for the wild birds to eat, was pulling thistles till the day we moved.

[Northwoods_Hippie]

Annabelle,
By the way LOVE your name, it is also the name of the lake where my father has his cabin here in Wisconsin!!

I have to wonder if inside pet bird food is treated different than the mixes that are specifically used for wild birds. If so, as you experienced this can become a problem with invasive weeds!! I am going to have to look into this further as I have consided buying a pet bird seed mix for the gold finches that feed outside because the pet mix was on sale.

Peace,
Margie

[rassd71]

My late father in-law had some 'interesting' plants sprout from the wild bird seed. All along the fence line the birds would sit on after eating their fill. So you have to watch what sprouts!